Culture of Bling Clangs to Earth as the Recession Melts Rappers' Ice

By

Miguel Bustillo

Updated May 26, 2009 11:59 pm ET

After years of starring in rap-music lyrics and videos, "bling" is losing its ring.

The recession is cramping the style of hip-hop artists and wannabes -- many of whom are finding it difficult to afford the diamond-encrusted pendants and heavy gold chains they have long used to project an aura of outsized wealth.